Help on a quote please

[TN al]

My wife is an elementary school teacher in the south and wants to do a unit on famous Americans, including Ulysses Grant. She is from the north and I admit it, she is not above twisting the knife. Anyway she asked me about a quote from his memoirs and I have misplaced my copy of the book. The quote is early in the book when he describes his feelings about going to West Point. It is something along the lines of: "I did not think that I wanted to go to West Point but after talking to my father I found that I did." Could somebody please tell me the exact wording so that I can pass it on to her. You will be helping the education of untold tens of southern elementary school students. Thank you in advance.

[Az]

1. Is this it?

"I never liked service in the army. I did not wish to go to West Point. My father had use his authority to make me go. I never went into a battle willingly or with enthusiasm. I never want to command another army. It was only after Donelson that I began to see how important was the work tht Providence devolved upon me. I did not want to be made lieutenant-general. I did not want the presidency, and have never quite forgiven myself for resigning the command of the army to accept it."

[TN al]

2. No

Its a good quote but the one I am looking for comes just before he leaves home for West Point. I remember he talks about his trip to West Point being the highlight of his entire stay there. The quote I am looking for definitely had a dry humor feel about it. The one you have lacks the humor.

[Contrary1]

3. How about this one?

In the winter of 1838-9 I was attending school at Ripley, only ten miles distant from Georgetown, but spent the Christmas holidays at home. During this vacation my father received a letter from the Honorable Thomas Morris, then United States Senator from Ohio. When he read it he said to me, "Ulysses, I believe you are going to receive the appointment."

"What appointment?" I inquired.

"To West Point; I have applied for it."

"But I won't go," I said.

He said he thought I would, and I thought so too, if he did.

I really had no objection to going to West Point, except that I had a very exalted idea of the requirements necessary to get through. I did not believe I possessed them, and could not bear the idea of failing.

-- Ulysses S. Grant (1885)

[TN al]

4. That's the one.

Thanks a bunch. I knew this group could do it.

[Buzz Clik]

5. His memoirs are online.

In the winter of 1838-9 I was attending school at Ripley, only ten miles distant from Georgetown, but spent the Christmas holidays at home. During this vacation my father received a letter from the Honorable Thomas Morris, then United States Senator from Ohio. When he read it he said to me, "Ulysses, I believe you are going to receive the appointment." "What appointment?" I inquired. "To West Point; I have applied for it." "But I won't go," I said. He said he thought I would, AND I THOUGHT SO TOO, IF HE DID. I really had no objection to going to West Point, except that I had a very exalted idea of the acquirements necessary to get through.

The underlined portion (my addition) is the quote you're seeking, I believe

For this section:
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/8/6/5860/5860.txt


And for the entire Volume I of his memoirs:
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=1067